Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved paroxetine oral tablet to treat the following conditions in adults:
This article describes possible side effects of paroxetine oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for paroxetine. You can explore this overview article to learn more about paroxetine oral tablet, including its uses, dosages, and more.
Paroxetine oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Paxil. Paroxetine also comes in other forms that you’ll swallow. But this article does not describe these forms, and their uses may vary. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain people
Paroxetine has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain people. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Side effects of paroxetine in detail” section below.
More common side effects of paroxetine
Paroxetine oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of paroxetine oral tablet include:
- sexual side effects, such as a low libido (sex drive)*
- weakness
- constipation
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of paroxetine in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of paroxetine
Paroxetine may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of paroxetine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- decreased appetite
- constipation
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- nervousness
- nausea
- sleepiness
- sweating
- tremor (shaking)
- trouble sleeping
- weakness
- yawning
- weight gain*
- mild allergic reaction*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of paroxetine in detail” section below.
Paroxetine oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of paroxetine
Paroxetine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from paroxetine oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with paroxetine.
Serious side effects of paroxetine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* With withdrawal, you experience symptoms when you stop taking a drug you’re dependent on.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of paroxetine in detail” section below.
‡ Paroxetine oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of paroxetine in detail” section below.
Common questions about side effects of paroxetine
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of paroxetine oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does paroxetine cause certain side effects during the first week of treatment?
No, there weren’t specific side effects reported during the first week of treatment in studies of paroxetine.
However, paroxetine has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain people. This risk is highest when you begin treatment and any time your dose is changed. To learn more about this risk, see the “Side effects of paroxetine in detail” section below or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can taking paroxetine in the morning reduce side effects compared to taking the drug at night?
Possibly. This can depend on the side effects that you experience, if any, from taking paroxetine. For example, both trouble sleeping and sleepiness are side effects reported with paroxetine. If you experience trouble sleeping, taking your dose in the morning may make it easier to sleep. But if you’re experiencing sleepiness from taking paroxetine, it may be best to take your dose at night.
It’s important to take your dose at the same time every day, whether that is the morning or the night, to ensure it can work to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about when to take paroxetine. You can also ask them how to treat side effects that occur.
Does paroxetine cause long-term side effects?
Yes, sometimes, paroxetine oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. Examples of long-term side effects reported with paroxetine oral tablet include:
- increased risk of bleeding
- hyponatremia (low blood sodium [salt] level)
- serotonin syndrome (a condition caused by a dangerously high level of serotonin in your body)
- sexual side effects*
These side effects can occur if you take paroxetine for a long time. But they usually go away when you stop treatment with the drug. Serotonin syndrome may go away during treatment.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. You can ask your doctor for more details about how long these side effects of paroxetine may last.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of paroxetine in detail” section below.
Will paroxetine 10 milligrams (mg) cause fewer side effects than paroxetine 20 mg?
Maybe. In general, side effects are less likely from taking lower doses of a drug compared with higher doses. For example, in studies of paroxetine, weakness and dry mouth were more likely with higher doses of the drug.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how your paroxetine dose affects your risk of side effects.
Coupon for paroxetine
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for paroxetine when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Side effects of paroxetine in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of paroxetine oral tablet.
Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Paroxetine has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults (ages 24 years or younger). A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In studies, children and young adults had an increased risk of this side effect with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs. (Paroxetine oral tablet is an SSRI.) This side effect may be serious.
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are a known side effect of all antidepressant drugs, including SSRIs. Signs may include:
- thoughts of harming yourself
- mood changes
- avoiding social contact
- staying away from other people
Certain factors can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors with paroxetine oral tablet. These include when you first begin treatment and any time your paroxetine dose changes. This risk typically decreases as you continue taking the drug. It’s important to note that having depression is a risk factor for this side effect. (Paroxetine is prescribed to treat certain mental health conditions, including depression.)
Ways to manage
If your symptoms feel severe or life threatening, seek immediate medical help. For example, call 911 (or a local emergency number) or go to the closest emergency room. You can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
If you experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend treatment for your symptoms. They’ll also likely suggest stopping treatment with paroxetine.
It can be helpful to let a close friend or family member that you’re comfortable with know that you’re taking paroxetine. They can help monitor for changes in your behaviors or moods during treatment.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Sexual side effects
In studies, sexual side effects were common in people taking paroxetine oral tablet. These side effects may be mild or serious.
Sexual side effects reported with paroxetine include:
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of sexual side effects, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend making an appointment so they can review your symptoms in detail. They may want to rule out possible causes of sexual side effects other than paroxetine.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may suggest stopping treatment with paroxetine. They may explore other options for treating your condition.
Weight gain
In studies, weight gain was rare in people taking paroxetine oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild. It’s important to note that weight loss was also reported by people taking paroxetine in these studies.
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about weight gain, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend reviewing strategies to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you. If your doctor suspects paroxetine is causing weight gain, they may suggest stopping treatment. And they may explore other options to treat your condition.
Allergic reaction
For some people, paroxetine oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. These reactions were rare in studies but may still occur.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to paroxetine oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for paroxetine
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking paroxetine oral tablet.
Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain people
Paroxetine has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain people. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Side effects of paroxetine in detail” section above.
Other warnings
It may not be safe for you to take paroxetine oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether paroxetine oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking paroxetine oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Paroxetine and pregnancy
There are risks to taking paroxetine during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having untreated mental health conditions, including depression or anxiety, during pregnancy. (Keep in mind that doctors prescribe paroxetine to treat these and other mental health conditions.)
Talk with your doctor about treatment options for your condition if you’re pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or can become pregnant. They can review the benefits and risks of different treatment options for your condition, including paroxetine, if taken during pregnancy.
Paroxetine and breastfeeding
You should not take paroxetine oral tablet while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with paroxetine.
Paroxetine and alcohol
Paroxetine oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
However, if you have certain side effects from taking paroxetine, consuming alcohol could worsen them. Examples of these side effects include nervousness and diarrhea.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with paroxetine oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of paroxetine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do side effects of paroxetine compare with other treatments for my condition?
- Does my health history or age affect my risk of side effects if I take paroxetine?
- If I have side effects from taking paroxetine, can you prescribe a lower dose for me to try?
- If I experienced sexual side effects from taking another selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drug, do I have a higher risk of these side effects with paroxetine?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
